KSP continues search for missing 8-month-old baby in Ohio County | WDRB News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Kentucky State Police were in Ohio County Tuesday as the search continues for the missing 8-month-old girl, dead or alive.

KSP brought out cadaver dogs Tuesday afternoon to search the area where Miya Rudd's family lived, as well as the area behind the house, including a cemetery directly across the street.

“Someone knows.” There are no ifs and buts about it,” said Beverly Hines of Breckinridge County.

It's the kind of story that thrills a small town and is the talk of several Kentucky counties – the tale of a missing baby and the dismantling of a drug ring, police say.

“You go to the gas station, they're talking about it, at work we're talking about it, patients are talking about it, co-workers are talking about it,” Hines said.

Last week, KSP shared its search for 8-month-old Miya, who went missing after receiving a tip that the baby hadn't been seen since April.

KSP searched approximately 10 acres of land with cadaver dogs Tuesday afternoon.

“The biggest theoretical work we have is that unfortunately the child may not be alive and could very well be in that area,” said KSP Trooper Corey King.

As police searched for Miya, her parents, Tesla Tucker, 29, and Cage Rudd, 32, and her grandfather, Ricky Smith, 58, were charged with abandonment of a minor and several charges related to the drug.

“Unfortunately, all the other crimes get in the way and at the end of the day, we only care about this baby,” Trooper King said.

The 8-month-old baby's grandmother was also arrested on a domestic violence warrant. As police were about to conduct a welfare check on the baby at the grandmother's home, another man was arrested when officers found him throwing Suboxone under his car.

KSP said Miya's parents have three older children in state custody and that child services had attempted to take Miya.

After the baby was born, the umbilical cord tested positive for methamphetamine.

Police said the state was never able to locate Miya or her parents until it was known she was missing.

As the days go by, KSP warns of the outcome.

“The more sinister it looks,” Trooper King said.

“Just pray for this baby,” Hines said.

KSP said they plan to return here later this week, this time with specialized equipment from the medical examiner's office as well as more cadaver dogs.

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